WHAT TO EXPECT IN 2025
Selling your home is a big step…and with the right approach, it can be an exciting and rewarding experience. As you prepare for your move, it’s important to follow the current market trends and how they might influence your decisions along the way. MY GOAL: To help you understand the Conejo Valley market and lead you to a successful sale.
Below are some common concerns that many homeowners have, along with my tips on how to best position yourself and make informed choices when selling your home:
Conejo Valley Guy
Hi, I’m Michael.
I follow local market trends so you don’t have to – sharing my expertise along the way.
As a Realtor®, I can help you sell your Conejo Valley home, guiding you from start to finish.
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PREPPING YOUR HOME FOR SALE
CONDITION MATTERS AGAIN
In recent years, sellers could skip major prep work, but today’s buyers prefer move-in-ready homes to offset higher mortgage costs.
💡 MY ADVICE
- Focus on small upgrades like fresh paint or new flooring and address minor repairs; a little effort goes a long way.
- Declutter as much as possible. Today’s buyers prefer sparsely furnished rooms with clean surfaces.
- Consider hiring a professional staging company if your home is vacant (typically ranges $4k-$8k for 2 months).
EXPECT FEWER SHOWINGS, BUT THAT’S OK
The days of packed weekend showings and multiple offers by Monday are mostly behind us. It may take a bit longer to sell, but properly priced homes in high-demand areas like the Conejo Valley will sell.
💡 MY ADVICE
- Make your home easy to show—flexibility is key.
- Consider utilizing an agent Supra lockbox for flexibility, security, and convenient showings.
- Create a positive experience that helps buyers envision their future in your home.
PRICING YOUR HOME IN 2025
HOME PRICES ARE EXPECTED TO RISE
Lower mortgage rates are bringing buyers back to the market which is expected to cause home prices to increase.
CONEJO VALLEY UPDATE: Median prices ended 2024 at $1,018,000, below the 2022 peak of $1,315,000, but trending back upwards.
FORECAST: The California Association of Realtors predicts a 4.6% increase in 2025, while Conejo Valley may see even higher growth.
PRICING CORRECTLY MATTERS
It’s still a seller’s market, but buyers today are more cautious and have less purchasing power. While multiple offers are still common, pricing your home too high can quickly backfire.
💡 MY ADVICE
- Lean conservative with your asking price – aim for the middle of the price spectrum to attract the most interest.
- Underpricing is low risk. Eager buyers will bid your home up.
- Overpricing, however, can lead to your home sitting on the market, which may require price cuts later. More time on the market often leads to a lower sales price.
ADJUST QUICKLY IF NECESSARY
If your home isn’t getting many showings—or worse, none at all—it’s a sign that your price may be too high. With low competition, your home should still attract interest from buyers.
💡 MY ADVICE
- Don’t resist market feedback—adjust your price quickly if needed.
- Price reductions should be meaningful; a minimum of $10-20k is typically required to make an impact, but this depends on your home and market conditions.
MANAGING OFFERS
FULL PRICE OFFERS ARE LESS COMMON
While some homes may still receive full-price or even multiple offers, it’s less frequent than in past years. You might also encounter lowball offers, but don’t let that discourage you.
💡 MY ADVICE
- Today’s buyer is more cautious. Be patient and prepared for negotiations.
- Keep emotions in check and focus on securing a reasonable deal.
- Remember, losing an interested buyer during negotiations can lead to selling for less later.
BUYERS EXPECT CONCESSIONS
Gone are the days when buyers waived contingencies and concessions to secure a home. Buyers now expect sellers to fix broken or safety-related items, and perks like free seller rent-backs are less common.
💡 MY ADVICE
- Sellers in both Ventura and L.A. Counties are only required to do 3 things: strap the water heater for earthquake safety, install smoke detectors, and install carbon monoxide detectors. That’s it. Everything else is negotiable.
- However, broken items and safety concerns are considered fair game. Consider reasonable requests.
- Keep the big picture in mind—small concessions can keep the deal on track and prevent your home from going back on the market which may lead to a lower sales price.
AGENT COMPENSATION RULES HAVE CHANGED
Agent compensation has always been and remains negotiable. Key changes went into effect August 2024:
1. Buyer agent compensation can no longer be advertised in the MLS. But, sellers can still offer it.
2. Buyers and their agent must now sign a Buyer Representation Agreement – a legal contract outlining the services provided, obligations, and the terms of compensation.
💡 MY ADVICE
- You will attract more buyers to see your home by offering buyer agent compensation. Over 80% of buyers work with an agent, and our goal is to appeal to as many buyers as possible.
- Help facilitate the buyers ability to purchase your property by including the compensation in the price rather that hoping the buyer has the means to pay their agent out of pocket.
- ADVANTAGE TO YOU: By offering buyer’s agent compensation upfront, you’ll attract the most qualified buyers and you’ll have a more accurate net proceeds estimate knowing what your costs will be.
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SELLING YOUR HOME IN 2025: A Fresh Approach for a Changing Market
Selling a home today is different than it was just a few years ago—but that’s not a bad thing. Buyers are still actively looking, and homeowners who use a well-planned, strategic marketing approach are still finding great success.
A lack of planning and no clear strategy is the biggest threat to you as a seller. But selling doesn’t have to be stressful. With my 3 step plan, we’ll keep your home from sitting on the market too long, losing value, and turning buyers away—guiding you toward a smooth and successful sale.
3 STEPS TO SELLING YOUR HOME
STEP 1
IN-PERSON MEETING: After our initial call, we’ll set up a time to walk through your home together. During this meeting, we’ll discuss our marketing strategy, review the current real estate market, and determine a competitive listing price. MY GOAL: By the end of our meeting, you’ll feel confident and prepared, knowing we have a clear plan to successfully sell your home.
STEP 2
HOUSE PREP & MARKET LAUNCH: We’ll get started immediately preparing all the marketing materials and introducing your home to the market. We want to generate buzz… making sure everyone knows about your house and attract multiple buyers.
STEP 3
REVIEWING OFFERS & GETTING YOUR HOME SOLD: With offers coming in, I’ll help you evaluate each one to ensure you get the best price, best terms, and avoid leaving money on the table. As your full service agent, I work for you – making sure your sale is smooth, profitable, and hassle-free.
